Cast Announced for MCS Productions’ “West Side Story”

Casting has been announced for MCS (Must Come See) Productions’ West Side Story, which is set to play at Queen’s Hall from 21st – 24th June 2018.

In the principal roles, Michailean Taylor takes on the role of ‘Riff’ leader of the Jet Gang; Albert Smith as ‘Bernardo’ leader of the Shark Gang; Syntyche Bishop as the feisty ‘Anita’, Bernardo’s girlfriend; and Kyle Richardson and Zayna McDonald as the forbidden lovers ‘Tony’ and ‘Maria’ around who the tension of the piece is focused.

Michailean Taylor (Riff) and Albert Smith (Bernardo) in rehearsal with MCS Productions’ West Side Story | Photo Credit: Saul Ramlal

MCS Productions have been producing full-length musicals since 2005, with the last one being their revival of Crazy for You in 2013.

In an interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network; when asked why West Side Story was chosen as the production this year, producer Jessel Murray said,

We felt that MCS has reached a level of maturity in terms of the type of musicals we offer. West Side Story is significantly more enhanced than some of our pervious musicals as it demands both of the music making; as Bernstein is a symphonic composer, and of the dance. I have been considering it for years and as we haven’t produced a musical [since 2013] I thought we needed to do something really special to reenter the national landscape.

Based on a concept by Jerome Robins; with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; West Side Story is a musical realisation of Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’; the traditional love story of love transcending the twin attributes of race and identity. The social conflicts that are exemplified by the characters in the musical represent the ‘established’ American street gangs of European descent and the more recent arrivals from Puerto Rico.

MCSP’s production of West Side Story is being directed by Louis Mc Williams, with musical direction by Jessel Murray and features the choreography of Sally Crawford-Shepherd.

Public performances will run from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th June 2018 at Queen’s Hall. There will also be a 9AM Matinee on Thursday 21st for SCHOOLS ONLY.